Matanglawin

Matanglawin

Official logo of Matanglawin
Type Student publication
Format Magazine
Owner Ateneo de Manila University
Editor Robert Alfie Peña (2011-2012)
Founded 1975
Headquarters Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
Official website http://www.matanglawin.org/

Matanglawin, literally meaning "Hawk's Eye" and usually contracted as Mata, is the official student newspaper of the Ateneo de Manila University in the Filipino language. The student paper dedicates itself to discussing socio-political events in the Philippines, the plight and suffering of the working class, as well as pressing student rights issues. It is part of the Ateneo's Confederation of Publications (COP), including The GUIDON and Heights.[1], which is published bi-monthly (formerly quarterly).

From a circulation of a few mimeographed copies hidden in books at the Rizal Library in the 1970s, Matanglawin is now published in glossy form and has a circulation of more than 2,000, serving the Loyola Schools community. Copies of the publication are also sent to student publications across the Philippines, serving as an inspiration and guide to journalists and creative writers using the Filipino language as their medium.

Contents

Origin of the name

The word or name Matanglawin contained negative connotations based from Philippine literary canon. The character of Cabesang Tales from Jose Rizal's novel El filibusterismo took the word as his moniker when he descended into terrorism and banditry after having been maltreated and denied justice by the Spanish colonial government. There were also characters in the plays of patriot playwrights Aurelio Tolentino and Onofre Pagsanghan representing the Filipinos who became bootlickers and lapdogs of the colonial masters named as such, characterized by their rapacity and brutality against fellow Filipinos. [2]

The publication, however, offers a different explanation as to how the name defines its work by breaking down the word into three other words: "mata" (eye) for the student journalist's meticulous attention to detail, data, wordings and critical observation; "tanglaw" (illumination) for the writer's duty to explain difficult topics to the common reader while at the same time offering new insights; and "lawin" (hawk) for the tradition of courage in championing the cause of justice and the rights of the poor, though deviating from any ideological advocacy. [3]

Branches of Service (Bagwisan)

The publication does not limit itself to being simply a dead piece of paper; Matanglawin also presents itself as an organization of students who advocate social involvement and substantial reforms within its avenues of service to the University and the country. In view of this, the organization is divided into six branches or "bagwisan" (literally, "wing") [4]:

Awards and Recognition Received

Matanglawin has garnered a multitude of awards during its 35 years of existence. It has been nominated for the Catholic Mass Media Awards. Since 2002, it has also won the Best Magazine Award at the annual Gawad Ernesto Rodriguez Jr, sponsored by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines. Its website and spoof issues have also been recognized by the said organization.

The publication is known for the quality of its investigative journalism, its editorial columns, and its layout. The spoof issue, Tanganglawin, has been cited for mixing tabloid humor with scathing political commentary.

Alumni

Matanglawin serves not just as a student paper, but also as an excellent training ground for advocacy work. Many of its alumni have gone on to practice journalism; others have crossed over into the arts and academe.

Current Ateneo president Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ was also instrumental in the founding of Matanglawin at the height of the Marcos regime. Noted alumni who have followed him to the priesthood include current Philippine Jesuit Provincial Fr. Jose Magadia, S.J., Fr. Albert Alejo, S.J. and current Jesuit Communications head Fr. Emmanuel "Nono" Alfonso, S.J.

Its alumni include the current editor-in-chief of FHM Philippines, Allan Madrilejos; the managing editor of Newsbreak Magazine, Chay Hofileña; and numerous recipients of Palanca Awards, including Alvin Yapan, Edgar Calabia Samar, and Mikael de Lara Co.

Noted alumni who became academicians include Dr. Agustin Martin Rodriguez, current chairperson of the Ateneo de Manila University's Department of Philosophy [5], Dr. Benjamin Tolosa, former chairperson of the Department of Political Science [6], and up-and-coming history instructors Aaron Rom Moralina and Michael Pante. [7]

Similarly, many Matanglawin alumni have been at the forefront of progressive groups. Recently, they have included College Editors Guild of the Philippines officers like former Editor-in-Chief for 2007–2009 Mark Benedict Lim as Vice-President for Luzon from 2008 to 2009.

References

  1. ^ http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=77 Ateneo de Manila University
  2. ^ Albert Alejo, S.J. "Bakit Matanglawin?" Matanglawin. Vol. VI, No. 1. July 1983.
  3. ^ http://matanglawin.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=46 Karla Mesina. "Pagpapakahulugan sa Pangalan". Matanglawin.org. Posted 22 June 2007.
  4. ^ http://matanglawin.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=55 "Mga Bagwisan ng Matanglawin. Matanglawin.org
  5. ^ http://soh.ateneo.edu/global/system.php?LS=staticpages&id=1245199232201 Ateneo de Manila University - School of Humanities
  6. ^ http://socsci.ateneo.edu/system.php?LS=staticpages&id=1204214443197 Ateneo de Manila University - School of Social Sciences
  7. ^ http://socsci.ateneo.edu/system.php?LS=staticpages&id=1218343068600 Ateneo de Manila University - School of Social Sciences

External links